Overview
What is Ledger Live Developer Portal?
The Ledger Live Developer Portal is a central hub for developers, product managers, and security engineers building applications and integrations with Ledger's secure hardware and software stack. It provides APIs, SDKs, documentation, and best practices to integrate Ledger wallets into web, mobile, and desktop experiences. This article walks through the essentials: getting started, development patterns, UX considerations, and the security practices that make Ledger Live a trusted choice for managing digital assets.
Who should read this?
This guide is aimed at developers building wallet integrations, dApp creators who want hardware-backed signing, and product designers crafting flows that require secure key custody. Whether you're writing a browser extension, a mobile wallet companion app, or a back-end service that communicates with Ledger devices, these steps will help you move from concept to production-ready integration.
Setup & prerequisites
Environment and required tools
Before you start building, set up a development environment that mirrors production as closely as possible. Recommended tools include:
- Node.js (LTS) and npm or yarn
- Ledger Live application installed for testing (desktop or mobile)
- Hardware wallets (Ledger Nano S Plus, Nano X) or test devices
- Chrome or modern browser for WebHID / WebUSB testing
- Familiarity with cryptography concepts: public/private keys, signatures, and key derivation
Accounts, API keys, and developer access
Create a developer account on the portal, register your application, and obtain the necessary API credentials. Follow the principle of least privilege — create separate keys for development and production. Many APIs will also allow you to whitelist callback URLs and set OAuth redirect URIs for secure authentication flows.
Integration patterns
Web integrations (recommended patterns)
Web integrations typically talk to Ledger devices using WebHID, WebUSB, or helper bridges. Here are common patterns:
Direct device interaction (WebHID / WebUSB)
Use direct browser APIs when you want an in-browser connection to the hardware wallet. This is ideal for lightweight dApps and seamless UX. Handle permission prompts gracefully and provide fallbacks for unsupported browsers.
Local bridge or companion app
When you need more advanced device features or cross-platform support, a local bridge daemon or companion app can act as a secure intermediary. Ensure strong authentication between the browser page and the local bridge.
Server-side flows
Server integrations should never receive private keys or seed phrases. Instead, design your server to orchestrate transactions and rely on the client to sign. Use webhooks and event notifications to update transaction status and reconcile with on-chain events.
Developer workflow and sample code
Quick start: connect and request an address
Below is a minimal example of requesting an address from a connected Ledger device. This snippet demonstrates the high-level flow; consult the portal docs for SDK-specific methods and improved error handling.
// pseudocode / illustrative only
import Transport from '@ledgerhq/hw-transport-webhid'
import AppEth from '@ledgerhq/hw-app-eth'
async function getAddress(){
const transport = await Transport.create()
const eth = new AppEth(transport)
const result = await eth.getAddress("44'/60'/0'/0/0")
console.log('address:', result.address)
}
Handling permissions & UX
Prompt users with clear, action-oriented messaging: "Connect your Ledger device and open the Ethereum app." Provide a retry button, and show device connection status. If the browser blocks access, provide a manual fallback flow (e.g., ask to use Ledger Live Bridge or download the companion app).
Security best practices
Never transmit sensitive material
Seed phrases, private keys, and PIN codes must remain on the device. Any data leaving the client should be public by nature (addresses, signed transactions, public keys). Audit your telemetry to avoid accidentally logging sensitive metadata.
Transaction verification
Present transaction summaries in plain language before signing — exact amounts, recipient addresses, and fees should be shown on the device screen whenever possible. Where the device screen can't show long data, display a digest that the user can confirm.
Mitigating phishing and UX traps
Design your UI to reduce click-jacking and social-engineering attacks. Display canonical branding elements, and add a "Verify on device" step for high-value transactions. Encourage users to check the device screen text, not just the desktop or mobile preview.
Testing strategies
Unit and integration tests
Write unit tests for business logic and integration tests for communication with device APIs. Use mocks for transport layers in CI to test edge cases like device timeouts and permission rejections.
Manual QA and device matrix
Establish a QA matrix that covers device models, firmware versions, and operating systems. Test edge cases such as interrupted connections, low-battery states, firmware update prompts, and unusual HD derivation paths.
End-to-end (E2E) testing
Where possible, automate E2E tests with real devices in a secure test lab. Tools like device farms or toggled firmware builds can help exercise flows that require on-device confirmation.
UX & product design guidelines
Onboarding flow
Onboarding should remove friction but never skip essential security steps. Offer an "I have a Ledger" flow and clearly separate it from "Create a new wallet". Provide microcopy that explains why the device must be connected and how signing works.
Microcopy examples
Use concise, human language for prompts: "Connect your Ledger and open the Bitcoin app" instead of technical jargon. For errors, suggest next steps: "Device not detected — check USB cable or try another port".
Developer resources & links
Below are curated links and resources that developers will find useful — quick access to SDKs, reference docs, and support channels.
Ten quick office links (useful for teams)
- Onboarding checklist (internal)
- Release notes and changelogs
- Device firmware compatibility matrix
- Security review checklist
- Design patterns & components
- CI / CD playbook
- Legal & compliance notes
- Support escalation matrix
- Test device reservation calendar
- UX research and user interviews
Conclusion & next steps
Building with Ledger Live ties developer experience to hardware-backed security. Start small: implement a read-only flow (address retrieval), then move to transaction signing and multi-account management. Maintain strong security practices, and integrate testing early in your pipeline. With the Developer Portal as your north star, you can iterate rapidly while respecting the security guarantees that Ledger devices provide.
Checklist to ship
- Register app and secure API credentials
- Implement device connection flows with fallbacks
- Show on-device verification for high-value actions
- Run device-matrix QA across firmware and OS
- Document and train support teams